The Campbell Reporter

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Campbell's Pruneyard is the home for international business meetings

Sean D'Souza lives and works in New Zealand. His client base spans the globe in countries such as Italy, Venezuela and South Africa. But since 2006, he brings his weeklong workshop to the Pruneyard Plaza Hotel in Campbell.

The workshop began on May 12, teaching businesses how to attract the right customers by utilizing unconventional marketing techniques. D'Souza's company is cleverly titled PsychoTactics.

He got his first taste of the Orchard City when he married his wife, Renuka, whose sister lives in Campbell. After holding workshops in bigger cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, D'Souza has settled in Campbell the last three years.

D'Souza says that at first, it may be a turn-off to his global client base, which is unfamiliar and/or unwilling to go to an unknown location. But with a number of dining options and shops within walking distance, his clients begin to take a liking to the city after just a few days.

"I have found very few venues with this level of diversity, where people can dine and do different things," D'Souza said. "At [other places] people get frustrated very quickly because they're eating at the same restaurant every day."

Leah Oman owns an image consulting firm in Denver and used to live in California.

"The city's actually very nice. I've been here before, and being in the Pruneyard, walking to a lot of the restaurants, is just comfortable and convenient," Oman said.

Ironically, the city D'Souza chose is located right in the heart of Silicon Valley, known for its leading technological companies. But D'Souza's methods actually go against the norm.

Instead of focusing on making more money, he advocates making more time, which can be used to focus on other enterprises that will eventually lead to more money.

"It's brilliant. It's a business model that works all over the world. But what's beautiful about it is that the ideas work right in my hometown," said Matthew Joyce, who owns a spiritual publication business in Boulder, Colo. "I'm delighted [the workshop] is not in New Zealand, although for the folks that had to come out that far, good for them."

Catherine Marechal came from a little farther away to attend the workshop--Italy, to be exact. After arriving a few days early, she was able to enjoy local shops and bike riding around town with her daughter.

"It's something I never have a question about, making the trip," Marechal said. "It's a nice city--not too big, but a friendly place to be."

D'Souza said he may hold workshops in other countries, but added, "If it's in America, no question it's going to be here."

For more information on PsychoTactics, visit www.psychotactics.com.